Connecting 16 local communities.
Early days
The Helix was borne from an idea in 2003 to build an ecopark as
part of the Falkirk Greenscape Initiative, transforming 350
hectares of land between Falkirk and Grangemouth. Today, The
Helix connects 16 local communities through our extensive path
networks.
Big Lottery Fund
In the summer of 2005 Big Lottery launched its Living Landmarks
fund - established to help communities improve their local
environment. The partners behind My Future's in Falkirk submitted a
bid on behalf of The Helix.
Falkirk Council, Central Scotland Forest Trust and British
Waterways Scotland (now Scottish Canals), with support from the
project's conceptual designers, prepared a detailed masterplan for
a unique outdoor greenspace that connected the communities of
Falkirk, Grangemouth and 14 other local communities.
The first Helix bid was submitted to the Big Lottery Fund in
early 2006. In August 2006, Big Lottery awarded The Helix a
development grant to prepare a Stage 2 submission. This enabled The
Helix to bid for a grant of between £10 million and £25
million.
After an anxious wait, The Helix was awarded the maximum £25
million grant from Big Lottery in November 2007 - one of only three
UK projects selected to receive cash from the Lottery's Living
Landmarks programme.
Phase One Capital Project
2008 and 2009 were spent finalising the Phase One Technical
Design and Business Plan, both of which were required for the
project to go ahead. Construction work began with the Helix South
network of paths in April 2011, which were opened in June 2011 with
over 600 local people making the opening event a very special
occasion.
Construction continued in the four main Helix Zones,
transforming the landscape of the local area and creating quite a
buzz amongst the local populace.
Helix Day 2013
On 14th September 2013, Helix Day celebrated the opening of
Helix Park, the zone at the heart of The Helix. Nearly 20,000
attended the event, which saw community art projects meet popular
artists to create a series of colourful spectacles across the
park.
The Helix remains busy to this day, with runners, dog walkers,
Nordic Walkers, cyclists and skaters all being active and enjoying
our The Helix.
